Pregabalin May Improve Symptoms of IBS

Pregabalin, a neuro-pain inhibitor used as a treatment for fibromyalgia, may improve gastrointestinal symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic.

Few treatments are available for abdominal pain related to IBS. The researchers theorized that pregabalin could modify visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients, but clinical data are lacking.
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To better understand how pregabalin affects IBS symptoms, the researchers recruited 85 patients aged 18 to 70 years who met the criteria for IBS and reported a pain score greater than 50 on a scale of 0 to 100.

The patients were randomly assigned to receive pregabalin 225 or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. They also completed weekly symptom questionnaires.

Week 9 to 12 results showed that patients taking pregabalin had lower average pain and severity scores on the Bowel Symptom Scale than those taking placebo. Other IBS symptoms, including bloating and diarrhea, improved as well.

Similar findings were recorded at 12-week follow-up.

“This pilot study suggests that pregabalin may show beneficial effects on IBS symptoms including overall symptoms and abdominal pain, and potentially bloating and diarrhea,” the researchers concluded. “Additional studies are warranted to determine whether these findings are replicated.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Saito YA. A placebo-controlled trial of pregabalin for irritable bowel syndrome. Paper presented at American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting & Postgraduate Course; Las Vegas, NV; October 14-19, 2016. https://www.eventscribe.com/2016/ACG/aaSearchByDay.asp?h=Full%20Schedule&BCFO=P|G. Accessed October 17, 2016.